PPG Paint & Solvent Mixture Software Redesign: From Windows Only to a Cross-Platform Web App

PPG approached us with a challenge: modernize their paint and solvent mixture software, originally developed as a Microsoft Windows application 20+ years ago. The software, a vital tool for professionals in the coatings industry, had become outdated, with hidden interactions and a steep learning curve that hindered usability. Our goal was to redesign the application as a web app, ensuring it was accessible across desktop operating systems via a browser, while improving usability and reducing the learning curve with a modern user interface and

Challenge

The legacy Windows application posed several significant challenges:

  • Antiquated Interactions: Critical features were buried in hidden "right-click" menus, making them difficult for users to discover and access.

  • Lack of Guidance: The app lacked tooltips, visual cues, or in-app instructions, leaving users to navigate complex workflows through trial and error.

  • High Learning Curve: Users needed extensive training to use the app effectively, which slowed adoption and productivity.

  • Platform Limitation: Being a Windows-only application limited its reach, especially in environments where users worked on other operating systems, required admin rights to install, and was very slow to respond to actions/requests.

To address these issues, we needed to create a cross-platform web app with an intuitive user interface that maintained the software's powerful functionality while making it accessible and user-friendly.

Process

Understanding User Needs

Our first step was to gain a deep understanding of how users interacted with the existing software.

  • User Interviews: We conducted interviews with paint professionals who relied on the software daily, gathering insights into their workflows, frustrations, and must-have features.

  • Workflow Analysis: We observed users performing typical tasks, identifying pain points such as difficulty accessing hidden features and confusion about certain processes.

  • Stakeholder Collaboration: We worked closely with PPG’s product team to ensure the redesign aligned with business goals and industry standards.

Prototyping and Iterative Design

Armed with insights, we moved into the design phase:

  • Simplified UI: We replaced the outdated, cluttered interface with a clean, intuitive design that surfaced key actions prominently. No more hidden "right-click" features—critical functions were now accessible through clear buttons and menus.

  • Contextual Tooltips: To reduce the learning curve, we added tooltips and in-app guidance, providing users with instant explanations and instructions for unfamiliar features.

  • Responsive Design: We designed the app to work seamlessly across different browsers and screen sizes, ensuring usability on both desktops and laptops.

  • Interactive Prototypes: We developed high-fidelity prototypes to test workflows and usability, allowing us to gather feedback from users and iterate quickly.

Feedback and Refinement

We conducted multiple rounds of usability testing with PPG’s end-users:

  • Feedback on Visibility: Users appreciated the improved discoverability of features, which were now prominently displayed.

  • Streamlined Workflows: Testing revealed opportunities to further simplify multi-step processes, leading to additional refinements.

  • Cross-Platform Validation: We ensured the app functioned consistently across different operating systems and browsers, addressing performance issues early.

Impact

The redesigned paint and solvent mixture software achieved significant improvements:

  • Intuitive Interface: The clean and modern UI dramatically reduced the learning curve, enabling new users to get up to speed quickly.

  • Increased Efficiency: By surfacing critical features and simplifying workflows, the app improved task completion times for professionals.

  • Expanded Accessibility: The shift to a web app allowed the software to be used across operating systems, broadening its appeal and reducing barriers to adoption.

  • Positive User Feedback: Users (new and old) highlighted the new tooltips and visual cues as game-changers, making the app far easier to use without extensive training.

Takeaways

  • Modernizing Legacy Software Requires Usability Focus: By surfacing hidden features and adding in-app guidance, we transformed a complex tool into an accessible and intuitive web app.

  • Cross-Platform Accessibility Broadens Reach: Transitioning from a Windows application to a web app expanded the software’s potential user base while future-proofing it for evolving technology needs.

  • Iterative Design is Crucial: Prototyping and usability testing allowed us to refine workflows and ensure the app met user needs. PPG put these prototypes in front of their internal users due to time constraints and we iterated based on that feedback.

PPG’s redesigned paint and solvent mixture software is now a powerful, user-friendly web app that streamlines workflows and enhances accessibility for professionals in the coatings industry. This project highlights how thoughtful redesigns can breathe new life into legacy applications while delivering tangible benefits for users and businesses alike.

Figma Designs

The below Figma embed is a user flow of all the different screens in the Security section of the app. Click the button below for the full file to see file organization and other sections of the app. I was pulled off the project by the client due to budget constraints.